Interview - Mark Ledwich - Algorithmic Extremism: Examining YouTube's Rabbit Hole of Radicalization

Explore an in-depth interview with Mark Ledwich, co-author of a groundbreaking study on YouTube's recommendation algorithm and its impact on user radicalization. Delve into the research methodology that categorized nearly 800 political channels and analyzed traffic flows between different political groups. Discover how the study challenges popular claims about YouTube's role in online radicalization, presenting evidence that the platform's algorithm actually discourages viewers from accessing extremist content. Learn about the surprising findings that suggest the algorithm favors mainstream media and cable news, with a slight preference for left-leaning or politically neutral channels. Gain insights into the broader implications of this research for understanding online radicalization and the role of social media algorithms in shaping political discourse.